Comments (425 Comments)

I’m not defending the pay raise. but don’t you think that there is some sense to NOT using the emergency room – I believe it is pretty d@mn costly! – for minor things?
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yeah? it would be interesting to know what she would do with those minor things, when they had good health insurance…

After Oprah decided to actively promote Obama, she made the choice to not have ANY of the candidates on her show from that point forward. She has not had Obama nor McCain since. So she is just applying her decision fairly.
sheesh. Kool-aid tastes sweet.
Posted by: helium |
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she is an ardent obama supporter and thats why she refuses any other political guests. Her reason you say is an excuse.
I dont blame her. Just dont be a fool, and drink the oprah kool aid.

helium, while you claim your points are to inform, they are clearly biased. Your apologies for obama would be soooo attacking if the same things the obamas did, the mCCain camp did.
How would you react if it was MMCaain who said that there were 57 states? would you say “he is senile”? or if he claimed that 10,000 people died in kansas (tornado)?
or if todd palin had received a 200% pay raise, in one year after sarah seeks the nomination, and part of his job is to turn away the uninsureds?
I guess its all who you support.

Both candidates have specil interests and have their own bad influnes. both. Dont make Obama out as if he is some choir boy.
He isnt. He has been in bed with criminals also.
Im saying what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Quit apologizing for the politics of obama, and then criticize the same things when mCCain does them.Just be consistent.
Im not such a MCCain lover. Its like having to make a choice of 2 things you really dont like…but ya gotta choose the better one of those things.
Obama needs more time and ingredients before you can remove the cake from the oven.

“… some people still think he’s some kind of really really good roleplayer.”
I think Haslem is a really good role player. He might not be a starting power forward, but he would be a great energy player off the bench. He knows his role, he’s smart, does nothing to hurt the team, plays hurt, and gives nothing but effort. Not every player on our team is going to be Wade and Beasley. Glue guys like him off the bench and in the locker room are important.

Well, I tried… back to politics.
Posted by: JB
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ok. we shall get back to bball. I had to respond to those who responded to mine.
and BTW, I never use that word “try”. That word implies a probability of failure.
You dont hear d.wade say ” i will try to score”" he says “im gonna score”

Glue guys like him off the bench and in the locker room are important.
Posted by: eddieomaha |
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true. but how much do these guys earn? is he getting overpaid for being a bench player?
im not sure because he can backup 2 spots, not one.
and as trade material, no one is gonna give you anything back except another bench player.

I don’t think so. Spo was commenting on how Beasley’s performance on 3 on 3 drills were barely short of sensational. The kid is going to start. Haslem won’t have a problem with it either. Just another reason why you want to keep guys like him around.

doctorb & Josh
South Florida hasn’t been my home for 5 years. But, I still like the heat. So, I look at this blog most days. IMO the two of you make the blog worth reading. You research your answers, your logic is clear, and you make your points well.
But, with this political stuff —- why do you even bother?
You are quarrelling with people who won’t listen, and they don’t have the capacity to understand what you are saying. So, why frustrate yourself?
This blog has been taken hostage by rude, ignorant, selfish, jerks. They don’t care who they offend, or if they have bothered to grasp an understanding of what they are saying.
Posted by: NCHeatFAn | September 17, 2008 at 04:08
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1) I appreciate your kind words. Im sure Josh does also.
2) Several days ago, I did complain , as you did, that there was too much politics, and not enogh heat stuff.My words went ignored. So, I joined in, and accepted what was made available. I prefer to get back to bball myself, but it takes more than just one man.
3) i do my best to screen out the bloggers who have intelligent things to say (i.e. helium) from the bloggers that dont.
-thanks again for the kindness, Its a rare change from the personal attacks from the classless and clueless.

This blog has been taken hostage by rude, ignorant, selfish, jerks. They don’t care who they offend, or if they have bothered to grasp an understanding of what they are saying.
Posted by: NCHeatFAn | September 17, 2008 at 04:08
Huh?
Piss off.

eddie.. lets face it. The sole reason haslem is still here is not because of his greatness as a role player, but because of his lack of greatness. i.e. no one will give anything of value for him.
Riley has made several overtures to trade him over the past 3 seasons. No takers.
So, ya take whatever ingredients you have, and make the best out of it ya can…instead of cold stone, you get baskin robbins.

I think pre-season you see a starting 5 of Banks, Wade, Marion, Haslem, and Blount. By the start of the season… I see Beasley in the line-up.
Posted by: eddieomaha
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and within 25 games, you will see chalmers emerge as the starting pg.

I disagree Doc. I don’t think Riley is shopping Haslem. He is listening to offers… but not shopping him. Marion is the player who Riles is trying to move. Regardless of what anybody wants to say about Haslem, he was a starting power forward on a championship team. He is a really good role player.

I disagree Doc. I don’t think Riley is shopping Haslem. He is listening to offers… but not shopping him
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disagree all you want. Riley has shopped him before.
One was when Ai was made available. Riley offered haslem and anyone and everyone. (except wade and shaq)

“When you “judge” which presidency is successful or not, what is your criteria? Or are you just spouting opinion as if it were fact? Can you respond to these sincere questions?”
I wouldn’t have to if you read my post. I cited survey ratings by C-SPAN, Rasmussen, and two separate Wall Street Journal polls. They all rated HW Bush higher than Clinton.
I then said that IN MY OPINION, Clinton was a greater president than HW Bush. But that, again, IN MY OPINION, neither was particularly good, and neither particularly bad.

It bothers me that people try to discredit Haslem’s efforts in the title run.
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im not sure people are discrediting him for being what he is.
But dont confuse that with facts. ie.. riley would trade him in a NY minute, if he could get back a quality starter in return, esp now that Beasley is here.

Doc, throwing the kitchen sink in to try and get a hall of famer is not ’shopping’ a player. When a team starts shopping a player it means his days are numbered. They are trying to move him. Every team listens to offers.

Haslem was a big part of our championship run. He did a very good job on Nowitzki. But that’s a thing of the past. At the moment, he’s looking like an overpaid back-up. I’d trade him if we could get anything of value in return — looks doubtful as of now, though.

Doc, throwing the kitchen sink in to try and get a hall of famer is not ’shopping’ a player. When a team starts shopping a player it means his days are numbered. They are trying to move him. Every team listens to offers.
Posted by: eddieomaha | September
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ii didnt use that word “shopping” you did.
I said that riley has attempted to trade him before. that is true.
whatever term you like, for “attempted to trade” i dont care.

Excuse me for butting in but what everyone fails to see is that Haslem is in good favor with Riley. That’s why, he’s getting that kind of money. Not very talented but a very good worker.
Posted by: williams46 |
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Actually, at the time of his contract renewal, I think haslem took a “home town” discount (from what another team may have offered)

I dont think haslem is overpaid if he becomes a role bench player, because he plays 2 spots, not just one.
If he was strictly a backup pf, then he is overpaid. But since he is a backup 5 (might turn to a starter there) as well, then he still gets 25 mpg.
Walker was overpaid. Shaq (last 2 seasons) was overpaid.
haslem isnt overpaid.

“Josh, it might be the past… but Haslem is young. He is just entering his prime.”
He is young. But do you really think he’s going to improve as a player beyond what he is now? From my view, he’s been slowly declining (if anything) as a player since his 2nd season. I think he’s tapped himself out — I don’t know that he has any unreached potential.
All that being said, I’m not saying I’d give Haslem away just to get rid of him. But if we could get something that would be a significant value to us in the future (ie: a young potential starter at PG or center), I’d definitely make that trade.

Wow — Spoelstra seemed very complimentary of Beasley’s offensive game. No mention of his defense, though
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ira has been telling me that Spo has been working really hard with Beasley on that aspect.
I wouldnt worry about it. Beasley is a hard worker, and will be ok in that department. defense is contagious.

How can Beasley not start right off the bat?!? The team won 15 games and Beasley was the the 2nd pick in the draft. He’s to talented and the team is to bad to have him coming off the bench… even at the start of the season.

He is young. But do you really think he’s going to improve as a player beyond what he is now?
But if we could get something that would be a significant value to us in the future (ie: a young potential starter at PG or center), I’d definitely make that trade.
Posted by: josh | September 17, 2008 at 08:49 AM
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1) he isnt going to improve. He is what he is.
2) the only way to get a starter quality, is to either package him with other quality player, or..to wait til another teams starting PF gets injured.

How can Beasley not start right off the bat?
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I agree. I guess alot will be determined during preseason.
Sometimes a coach is concerned about the unknown, than the known. Plays it safe with the veteran.
Although this veteran is haslem, one of the worst starting PF’s in the NBA.
This is not a knock on Haslem, as he is a hard worker, but he is one of the worst starting PF’s in the NBA.
You drafted Beasley for what reason, if not to start him?

I agree with you that Haslem is one of the worst starting power forwards in the league… but he could be one of the best power forwards off the bench. Detroit has McDyess, Amir Johnson, and Sheed. Can we really afford a guy like Alexander Johnson coming off the bench?

small ball probably is the way to go. Even Magloire could be of use, to come off the bench, to absorb fouls….and Blount off the bench, to keep small ball running. (even though he is a 7 footer, he plays much smaller)

I wonder who Marion will be traded for. I dont think riley just lets his contract expire. His talent level is way to good, to let that happen, in the way jay wil and ricky davis did. (they arent that wanted) Marion will be heavily sought out close to trading deadline…and if miami can obtain a really good player with a longer term deal (that takes them out of the fools gold 2010 sweeps) then so be it…

There will be some team that is in the playoff hunt, come trading desdline, that will need shawn marion to put them over the top.
This team will give alot for marion…
or a team that wants cap space this season, will offer good player(s) that have a longer term deal.

Spo talks about the Heat and Banks making strides as a PG, Beez maybe coming off the bench and Haslem only playing limited mins at C. It seems that Banks maybe better than expected. He is supposedly coming along as far as his “PG ability” whatever that means, but Spo says his 1st requirement is a defensive mentality at the PG, which would make it a 2 man race tween Banks and Chalmers, not Quinn.http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/689301.html

Spo talks about the Heat and Banks making strides as a PG, Beez maybe coming off the bench and Haslem only playing limited mins at C. It seems that Banks maybe better than expected. He is supposedly coming along as far as his “PG ability” whatever that means, but Spo says his 1st requirement is a defensive mentality at the PG, which would make it a 2 man race tween Banks and Chalmers, not Quinn.http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/689301.html

Spo talks about the Heat and Banks making strides as a PG, Beez maybe coming off the bench and Haslem only playing limited mins at C. It seems that Banks maybe better than expected. He is supposedly coming along as far as his “PG ability” whatever that means, but Spo says his 1st requirement is a defensive mentality at the PG, which would make it a 2 man race tween Banks and Chalmers, not Quinn.http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/689301.html

Spo talks about the Heat and Banks making strides as a PG, Beez maybe coming off the bench and Haslem only playing limited mins at C. It seems that Banks maybe better than expected. He is supposedly coming along as far as his “PG ability” whatever that means, but Spo says his 1st requirement is a defensive mentality at the PG, which would make it a 2 man race tween Banks and Chalmers, not Quinn.http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/689301.html

Spo talks about the Heat and Banks making strides as a PG, Beez maybe coming off the bench and Haslem only playing limited mins at C. It seems that Banks maybe better than expected. He is supposedly coming along as far as his “PG ability” whatever that means, but Spo says his 1st requirement is a defensive mentality at the PG, which would make it a 2 man race tween Banks and Chalmers, not Quinn.http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/689301.html

“enforcer”? how so? by getting angry and tossing his mouthpiece?
Posted by: doctorb | September 17, 2008 at 09:05 AM
No doc. By stepping in when Wade, Beasley, or any of his teammates will get rough up by the opposing counterparts. There is such a thing as good enforcer. He can also psyche up his own man by employing some dirty tactics or a little intimidation. Just to take him out of his game.

Vince Carter plus Sean Williams for Marion.
Posted by: JB | September 17, 2008 at 09:14 AM
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while that is good for miami, im fairly certain that another NBA team could offer more for carter/williams, than just the expiring contract of marion.

Let us know when it begins.
Posted by: helium | September 17, 2008 at 07:10 AM
Sept 27. My favorite team is the Miami Heat. I don’t really have a favorite player, maybe Udonis Haslem??
Who is your favorite team?
Posted by: JB
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I wasn’t that much into bball before the heat came to Miami – I’d watch some games, jordan, the celtics-lakers. Mostly it had been the dolphins.
Definitely the Heat is my favorite team and Wade is a joy to watch.
I’m not sure how much access – if any – they will be giving to training camp. This season is probably the most inriguing in a long time since we know so little how this group is going to come together.
I guess I’d take Vince Carter if he could defer to Wade. But we’ve heard this trade be4 and there is doubt the Nets would give up Sean Williams – But I would give up Williams from this blog!!!

yeah? it would be interesting to know what she would do with those minor things, when they had good health insurance…
Posted by: doctorb
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But even with good health insurance, you have to admit it is a waste for the hospital emergency room to be dealing with it. At least admit that.

she is an ardent obama supporter and thats why she refuses any other political guests. Her reason you say is an excuse.
I dont blame her. Just dont be a fool, and drink the oprah kool aid.
Posted by: doctorb
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The flaw in your statement is “any other guests”.
She had Barack on when he was just a senator – and being black and from Chi. it’s not unusual she would have.
But Barack the Candidate has NOT been on her show from what I understand. So she has not had ANY candidates on her show since becoming so politically involved. Not even candidate Obama.
And it makes sense b/c she could not not be biased.

How would you react if it was MMCaain who said that there were 57 states? would you say “he is senile”? or if he claimed that 10,000 people died in kansas (tornado)?
or if todd palin had received a 200% pay raise, in one year after sarah seeks the nomination, and part of his job is to turn away the uninsureds?
I guess its all who you support.
Posted by: doctorb
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Oh sure, b/c those type of things play to our biases. That’s why I would prefer to not focus on such subjective bs – including the POW thing or Obama’s work with community organizing.
What are the issues and what are the plans and what are the experiences that matter.
You guys have yet – I haven’t read everything this morning – to respond to my serious questions.

Both candidates have specil interests and have their own bad influnes. both. Dont make Obama out as if he is some choir boy.
He isnt. He has been in bed with criminals also.
Im saying what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Quit apologizing for the politics of obama, and then criticize the same things when mCCain does them.Just be consistent.
Im not such a MCCain lover. Its like having to make a choice of 2 things you really dont like…but ya gotta choose the better one of those things.
Obama needs more time and ingredients before you can remove the cake from the oven.
Posted by: doctorb
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Doc, it’s like saying:
All politicians have some level of corruption.
Therefor all politicians are equally corrupt.
No, there are differences of quantity and quality of corruption.
I really don’t think you have any idea of what the repubs have become these past 8 years – probably the past 14 or more.
And since you close your eyes to this, you pretend that all things are equally bad and you don’t give a sh1t that there is a difference between being sexist and calling a woman sweety and raping her.

I think Haslem is a really good role player. He might not be a starting power forward, but he would be a great energy player off the bench. He knows his role, he’s smart, does nothing to hurt the team, plays hurt, and gives nothing but effort. Not every player on our team is going to be Wade and Beasley. Glue guys like him off the bench and in the locker room are important.
Posted by: eddieomaha
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I just wish he were more consistent with his offensive game. His jumper is too inconsistent from game to game. Maybe this year, with Shaq gone, he can develop some more scoring moves. But we really don’t need much from him with Beasley in the post too.

IRA WINDERMAN is embarking on his 24th season covering the Miami Heat for the Sun-Sentinel, witnessing more than 1,900 of the team's games (thus the bags under the eyes and hair loss not truly depicted by the accompanying photo). With the help of antacids (during the lean years) and a sense of humor (during the Riley dictatorship), he has been able to remain a courtside fixture at AmericanAirlines Arena, a veteran 12 years older than coach Erik Spoelstra. Only former trainer Ron Culp had attended more Heat games, but, then again, Winderman has yet to tape his first ankle.